Question:
Is there a chart telling what vitamins to take post - op

I get almost 2500 mg of calium per day but my bone density test shows I have thining in my hips. I get 1800 vitamin D so that is more than covered. HELP    — cheryl D. (posted on January 26, 2005)

January 25, 2005
What kind of calcium? Citrate is better absorbed by gastric bypass patients. You can try adding magnesium to the Cal citrate+D. Also lifting weights can help slow bone loss. Besides the calcium and D, what are you taking?
   — Ali M

January 26, 2005
Cheryl, I can relate. I had a Dexascan done at 6 months PO and all was normal. I had one done last week at almost 2 yrs PO and I had a T-score of 1.8 at the hip. I am totally bummed. It means that I am 15-20% below normal at the hip. The lower spine is still normal though. I cannot figure out why the hip would be more vulnerable. I do take the calcium citrate with D and ideally take 1200 mg's a day, but truthfully I haven't been consistent enough in getting it all in, especially since I have been taking iron supplements because it all has to be spaced out. I also have been doing walking and weight training so that should help, but not like I would have thought. I need to make sure I get in all of my calcium even if it means some of the iron doesn't get in. I may just have to go with the infusions again to get that back to normal, then I wouldn't have to worry about spacing the iron also. There just isn't enough hours in the day for 4 doses of calcium, 3 doses of iron and vitamin c, 2 doses of multi-vitamins, and then my zinc, vitamin a and vitamin d and my other meds I must take. I sure as heck don't want to end up with osteoporosis as a result of surgery so it's time to really make the calcium my top priority. Make sure you are taking citrate with D, otherwise you are wasting your effort with the 2500mg. Also I've always read that we can only absorb 400mg at once, so if you are taking mega doses at a time, that might be the problem also. I have many times taken 2 pills (600 mg's) at once just to get them in and hope I absorb more than the 400. Good Luck to us both.
   — zoedogcbr

January 26, 2005
My doctors dietician recommends for the bariactrics patient a mega multi vitamin 2x's a day Vitamin C 1000mg 2x's a day Calcium 1000mg 1x's a day am & pm This should be citrate only because our stomachs have mal-absortion and the the other type of calcium doesn't get absorbed hardly at all. Also calcium and iron, should never be tooken together, because they keep each other from being absorbed. If you are post meneposal or had a hysterectomy you should take 1500mgs.(citracal walmart) Vitamin B12 subligual 1000mgs twice a week or injection once a month.(available at walmart) Amino Iron 15-30mgs a day (will probably have to be ordered by pharistist). My docotor is very strict and these are just some of his guidlines, and there are many others to be healthy, and his patients are very healthy, the ones that are compliant anyways. Atleast try the calcium, it is chemically changed to be absorbed better.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 26, 2005
My ntritionist said that latest studies show that gastric bypass patients can only absorb 500mg of calcium at a time so I have to break up my calcium over 3 times a day to get my 1500. I take calcium, B-12 (sublingual), Biotin Extreme (for hair and nail health), Folic Acid (helps with the B-12), Multivitamin (Vitamist spray-- just spray 2 squirts in mouth 4 times a day), and my regular meds.
   — MagickalMom

January 26, 2005
I take citracal calcium citrate +D 1260mg and 800UI. The multi vitamins have 224 mg of dicalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate.
   — cheryl D.

January 30, 2005
How many Citracal? They are 315mg cal EACH. Where are your labs, for example, calcium, vit D and PTH? Getting all this right is a delicate balancing act, for sure.
   — vitalady